University of Western Australia

What you'll study

The programme combines core psychological science with applied business subjects to develop skills in diagnosing human behaviour in organisations and markets, designing evidence‑based interventions, and evaluating their impact. Typical study areas include:

• Organisational behaviour and leadership — theories of leadership, team processes, motivation and culture.
• Industrial and organisational psychology — job analysis, selection, performance appraisal and employee assessment.
• Consumer and marketing psychology — decision making, persuasion, branding and customer experience.
• Research methods and statistics — quantitative and qualitative methods, experimental design and applied data analysis for business problems.
• Psychometrics and assessment — test construction, validity, reliability and ethical use of assessments.
• People analytics and HR technology — workforce data, analytics techniques, dashboards and the use of big data in people decisions.
• Change management and organisational development — diagnosing systems, designing interventions and evaluating organisational change.
• Professional practice or capstone project — an applied consultancy project, industry placement or research project that integrates learning in a real business context.

Teaching typically uses a mix of lectures, seminars, case studies, project work and supervised applied projects. Assessment methods commonly include essays, group projects, data analyses, presentations and a major capstone.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree. Those with an undergraduate degree in psychology, business, commerce or a related social science are well placed to join the programme. Candidates without a psychology background may be required to complete bridging introductory units to ensure core knowledge in psychological theory and research methods.

Selection may also consider relevant professional experience, personal statements and referee reports. International applicants need to demonstrate proficiency in English to the level specified by the university. Meeting minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission; places are awarded on the basis of academic merit and the match between an applicant’s background and the programme.

Career prospects

Graduates gain a blend of psychological insight and business skills that prepare them for roles where understanding human behaviour is central. Common career pathways include:

• Organisational development and change management practitioner
• People/HR analytics specialist
• Talent management and assessment consultant
• Learning and development designer or leadership development specialist
• Consumer insights or market research analyst
• Management consultant with a people-centred specialism
• Workplace wellbeing and employee engagement advisor

Alumni may also choose to continue into research or doctoral study in organisational psychology, business psychology or related disciplines.

Why study at University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia brings together the UWA Business School and psychological science expertise to deliver an applied, research‑informed programme. Students benefit from access to academic staff active in organisational and consumer research, opportunities for industry engagement with Perth and national employers, and facilities that support applied data analysis and project work.

The programme emphasises practical skills that employers value — from psychometric evaluation and people analytics to consultancy and change implementation — while offering pathways for students interested in further research. Studying at UWA also provides access to professional networks and career services to support transition into business and people‑centred roles.